History Vault is a genealogy research tool run by Ancestry

History Vault is a subscription service that gives you access to historical records and documents through Ancestry's platform. It includes census records, birth and death certificates, military records, immigration documents, and other primary sources that people use to trace their family tree. You pay a monthly or annual fee to search and view these records online.

History Vault is different from Ancestry's main DNA testing subscription. It focuses on documentary records rather than genetic matching. If you already have an Ancestry account, you can add History Vault to it. If you don't, you can start a History Vault subscription on its own.

The records in History Vault vary by region and time period. The service includes stronger coverage for United States history than for other countries, though it does have records from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and other locations. What's available depends on what Ancestry has licensed and digitized.

Key Takeaways

  • History Vault costs a monthly fee or a lower annual rate, and you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.
  • You search and view historical documents online through a web browser or the Ancestry mobile app, with no software to read.
  • The records included are primary sources like census data and vital records, not a complete family tree or DNA results.
  • You can save documents to your Ancestry account and read them as PDFs to keep copies on your computer.

What records you can search with History Vault

History Vault includes census records from multiple countries and time periods. In the United States, this covers federal census records from 1790 onward, plus state census records where they exist. You can search by name, location, and year to find your ancestors listed in these documents.

The subscription also covers vital records—birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records—from various states and countries. Immigration records are included, such as passenger lists from ships arriving at ports like Ellis Island. Military records span conflicts from the Revolutionary War through modern times and include enlistment papers, discharge documents, and pension records.

Beyond those categories, History Vault contains city directories, newspapers (though newspaper access may vary), land records, probate documents, and other historical materials. The exact records available change as Ancestry adds new collections. You can see the full list of available record sets on the History Vault page before you subscribe.

How much History Vault costs

History Vault pricing varies depending on whether you pay monthly or annually. Monthly subscriptions cost more per month than the equivalent annual rate. Annual subscriptions offer a lower per-month cost if you commit for a full year. Ancestry occasionally runs promotions that reduce the first month or offer a discount on annual plans.

If you already have an Ancestry subscription for DNA testing or family tree building, you can add History Vault to your account. The cost of adding it is separate from your existing subscription. You are not required to have an Ancestry DNA subscription to use History Vault on its own.

Your subscription renews automatically on the date it was purchased unless you cancel it beforehand. You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time through your account settings. If you cancel, you lose access to the records when ready, though any documents you downloaded as PDFs remain on your computer.

How to search and view documents

Once you have an active History Vault subscription, you log into your Ancestry account and navigate to the search page. You enter a name, location, and time period to narrow your search. The results show matching records with a preview of each document. You click on a result to view the full record.

Most records display as digital images of the original document. You can zoom in to read handwriting or small print. Some records include transcriptions—typed versions of the original text—which make searching easier and help you read faded or difficult handwriting. Not all records have transcriptions, and transcriptions can contain errors.

When you find a document you want to keep, you can save it to your Ancestry account. You can also read it as a PDF file to your computer. Downloading lets you have a permanent copy even if your subscription ends. Many people read documents as they find them so they have a backup collection of their research.

Saving and organizing your research

Ancestry lets you create a family tree within your account and attach documents to specific people in that tree. When you save a record from History Vault, you can link it directly to a family member's profile. This keeps your research organized and shows which documents support each person's information.

You can also create folders or collections within your account to group documents by family line, location, or time period. This is useful if you are researching multiple branches of your family at once. Your saved documents stay in your account as long as your subscription is active.

If your subscription ends, you lose access to the search function and cannot view new records. However, documents you downloaded as PDFs remain on your computer. Documents you saved only to your Ancestry account become inaccessible once your subscription ends.

Using History Vault on mobile devices

The Ancestry mobile app for iPhone and Android includes History Vault search. You can search records, view documents, and save them to your account using the same login as the website. The mobile app works the same way as the web version, though the smaller screen can make reading old documents harder.

Downloading documents as PDFs works on mobile devices as well. You can email the PDF to yourself or save it to your phone's storage. This is useful if you are researching while traveling or visiting a library or archive in person.

Comparing History Vault to other genealogy tools

History Vault is one way to access historical records, but it is not the only one. Other genealogy websites like FamilySearch, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage also offer access to historical documents. Some records are available on multiple platforms, while others are exclusive to one service.

FamilySearch is a free genealogy resource run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It includes millions of records and does not require a subscription. However, its collection is smaller than Ancestry's, and the interface is different. Many people use both FamilySearch and a paid service like History Vault.

Local libraries often provide free access to Ancestry and other genealogy databases through your library card. If you have a library card, you can search these records for free while you are logged in through the library's website. This is worth checking before you pay for a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use History Vault without an Ancestry DNA subscription?

Yes. History Vault is a separate subscription from Ancestry DNA. You can purchase History Vault on its own without buying a DNA test or any other Ancestry product. If you already have an Ancestry account for another reason, you can add History Vault to it.

What happens to my saved documents if I cancel my subscription?

Documents you downloaded as PDF files stay on your computer. Documents you saved only to your Ancestry account become inaccessible once your subscription ends. You cannot view or search new records after cancellation, but any PDFs you downloaded before canceling remain yours.

Does History Vault include DNA matching or family tree building?

No. History Vault is for searching historical documents only. It does not include DNA testing or genetic matching. Family tree building is available through Ancestry's main platform, which is a separate product. You can use History Vault records to support a family tree you build elsewhere.

Can I share my History Vault subscription with family members?

Your subscription is tied to your individual Ancestry account. Other people cannot log in with your credentials. However, you can read documents and share the PDF files with family members. Some genealogy websites offer family or household plans, but History Vault subscriptions are individual accounts.

Is there a free trial for History Vault?

Ancestry sometimes offers trial periods or discounted first months for new subscribers. Check the History Vault page directly to see current offers. Trial terms vary and change frequently, so what is available depends on when you visit.